The Nigerian military announced Sunday that its troops had neutralized a known Boko Haram commander, Abu Rijab, and other terrorist fighters in an offensive operation on Saturday.
This was announced in a post on the Nigerian Army's official X Handle.
He said the operation took place in Bula Daloye, Bama Local Government Area of Borno.
He said the successful operation came on the heels of the handover of numerous terrorists and their families to the troops as a result of sustained pressure on their enclaves.
The military said troops also arrested several criminal suspects and recovered weapons and ammunition.
“After an intense firefight, the troops overpowered the terrorists and neutralized three of them, including a wanted Boko Haram commander, Abu Rijab.
“The operation allowed the recovery of two AK-47 rifles and mobile phones.
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“Also, eight terrorists and their families surrendered to troops in Gwoza Local Government Area.
“The same troops also arrested two suspects in Konduga Local Government Area with 52 bags of illicit drugs intended for supply to terrorists,” he said.
The publication also revealed that troops operating in Taraba arrested the chairman of the Gassol Local Government Area Hunters Association, Adamu Tanko, for selling an AK-47 rifle to a suspected terrorist.
He said investigation had revealed that the weapon had been recovered during a joint operation against terrorists in Boki Lamba, a border town with Plateau.
In Plateau, the service said its troops arrested two suspected criminal elements in the Rikkos area of Jos North Local Government Area.
According to the report, troops recovered a manufactured rifle and mobile phones containing images of various calibres of weapons and ammunition.
“Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja commended the troops for their resilience and commitment.
“He also expressed his gratitude to the public for their continued support to the Nigerian Army, sister services and other security agencies through credible and actionable information on criminal activities,” he added.
(YAYA)